Onondaga Creekwalk opens, connecting Armory Square and Onondaga Lake

View full sizeEllen Blalock / The Post-StandardAfter the official grand opening of the Creekwalk from Armory Square to Onondaga Lake, about 10 to 15 bicyclists from F.O.C.U.S. CNY and Pedals to Possibilities began their journey on the path starting at the serpent.

Syracuse, NY – Nearly five decades after it was first conceived and 11 years since work began in earnest, the Onondaga Creekwalk opened today, giving walkers and bicycle riders a broad new path by which they can trace a cleaned-up Onondaga Creek from Armory Square to Onondaga Lake.

The creek rolled past as Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and 100 other officials and guests gathered at 10 a.m. between West Fayette and Walton streets to mark the grand opening of the 2.6-mile, $10.1 million recreation trail.

Beginning at the Museum of Science and Technology in Armory Square, the creekwalk’s sidewalk leads users past downtown landmarks such as the Syracuse University Warehouse, National Grid’s art deco office and the restored offices and condos of Franklin Square toward the Inner Harbor and Carousel Center. Visitors are brought close to a scenic creek formerly hidden by overgrowth and trash.

A yellow line down the center marks the trail and ornamental lighting, black railings, knee-high decorative posts, chains and small directional signs keep users on it. Long-hidden structures such as the stone arch that carries West Genesee Street over the creek are visible.

Porous pavement and other “green’ infrastructure elements built into the creekwalk are expected to capture 254,000 gallons of rain water a year, officials said.

Future phases would extend the creekwalk south to Kirk Park, then to Nedrow, officials said.